Reassembled

The skeleton of Richard III is on display in this photograph provided by the University of Leicester on February 4, 2013.

When Richard’s bones were originally unearthed in September in the British city of Leicester, skeptical researchers conducted a litany of tests to determine if they did indeed belong to the fallen monarch. Radiocarbon dating labeled the skeleton as a male in his late 20s to late 30s who died in the second half of the 1400s or the first half of the 1500s. Both of these gauges were consistent with what we know about the former British king, who was killed in 1485 at the age of 32 — the last English ruler to die in battle.

Leicester, not taking its new status lightly, has already purchased a building adjacent to the parking lot beneath which Richard was found. The plan is to turn the building into a museum dedicated to the king — but only after he’s given a proper burial at Leicester Cathedral.